South Dakota News Watch
For a non-presidential election year, 2026 has the makings of one of those political seasons that South Dakotans talk about years or even decades to come.
Advertising and communication in a contentious Republican race for governor has dominated airwaves, social media feeds and text notifications. But because of a law change that puts many local contests on Tuesday’s ballot, more than just the party faithful have something at stake in a lot of places across the state.
Find out which district you live in through the South Dakota Secretary of State website and also see the list of candidates you can vote for as well as a sample ballot, though it may not include all local races.
Early and absentee voting started last month, but if you’re early voting Monday or going to the polls Tuesday, here’s a summary of the key races along with links to South Dakota News Watch’s coverage.
South Dakota governor
Four Republicans are running to represent the party and meet Democratic candidate Dan Ahlers in the Nov. 3 general election nomination. Here are the Republican candidates with links to profiles by News Watch’s Alexander Rifaat:
- Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden (R) Read his profile
- State House Speaker Jon Hansen (R) Read his profile
- U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R) Read his profile
- Gov. Larry Rhoden (R) Read his profile
If Doeden, Hansen, Johnson or Rhoden doesn’t receive 35% of the vote in the Republican primary, a runoff election between the two top vote-getters will be held eight weeks later, on July 28.
Read about the latest campaign finance reports filed by each Republican candidate
Watch the debates involving the four Republicans running for governor:
US Senate
U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds, one of two U.S. senators in Congress from South Dakota, is up for re-election this year.
Republican voters in Tuesday’s primary are choosing between him and challenger Justin McNeal. The winner will meet Democrat Julian Beaudion and Independent Brian Bengs in the Nov. 3 general election.
Read more about McNeal and Rounds
US House of Representatives
When Johnson opted to run for governor, it opened up South Dakota’s only seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Republican voters on Tuesday will choose between Attorney General Marty Jackley and James Bialota Jr., and the winner will meet Democrat Nicole Gronli in the Nov. 3 general election.
Read more about Bialota and Jackley
South Dakota Legislature
The South Dakota Legislature is comprised of 105 lawmakers from 35 legislative districts, each of which has one senator and two representatives.
Read about some of the key primary races
Local races
A new South Dakota law about municipal election dates added a lot of races to ballots for many voters, but it also means many non-partisan voters have something to vote on Tuesday.
That includes in Sioux Falls, where the city’s municipal elections used to be held in April. Voters will be choosing a new mayor, city council members and school board members Tuesday.
Elsewhere in the state, local ballots include positions like county commissioners, auditor, sheriff and the register of deeds.
Read Molly Wetsch’s story about some hotly contested local elections, including in Brown and Fall River counties and elsewhere.
More information about voting and elections
South Dakota News Watch’s voter guide includes much more information about voting, including what to take to the polls, important dates ahead of the November election and how other candidates for other statewide offices are chosen.